Veterinary Blog

Did you know that by 4 months of age, 80% of your puppy’s brain has already developed to maturity? That means they have already formed a variety of associations with their surroundings and the people and objects within it. This is why socializing your young puppy in a safe and controlled environment is so important. The prime time to do this is between 8-16 weeks of age. During this time frame they are taking in the most stimuli from their environment and deciding what they do and do not […]

When our veterinarians ask you if we can perform a fine needle aspirate on your pet what we should say is, “We need an FNA ASAP.”FNAs (or fine needle aspirates) are a diagnostic tool that we can use in our office, for a relatively low cost. They can give us important answers to the new lump that you found on Fido. Fine needle aspirates are performed very quickly in the exam room. The procedure involves inserting a needle into a growth either on or just below the skin in the subcutaneous a […]

Descriptions of rabies go back thousands of years as it has classically been one of the most feared infections of all time. It is caused by a rhabdovirus that, in most cases, the disease is transmitted through a bite wound. So, you may find yourself asking, why does my indoor cat or dog that only goes outside to potty need a rabies vaccine? And the answer is, wildlife CAN and WILL come inside. The most common wildlife species to spread rabies in Missouri are the skunk, bat, raccoon, fox a […]

by Carolyn Torno, RVT, Fear Free Certified Professional Level 3, Low Stress Handling Certified SilverStress – we all experience it when going to our doctor. Our heart races, blood pressure rises, and we just want to get it over with. While we can express our fears and anxieties to our health professionals, our pets cannot. In fact, a 2014 study conducted by Bayer Veterinary Healthcare showed that 37% of dog owners and 58% of cat owners believe that their pet hates veterinary visits. They […]

As some may be aware, as of January 1, 2020, Hillside Animal Hospital is under new ownership. This is a very exciting time, as we announce Drs. Anna and Aaron as our new practice owners! Our goal with this Q&A, was to allow you, our dedicated clients, to get to know them on a different level.Question: Where did you attend vet school?Dr.’s Anna and Aaron: University of Missouri- Columbia Question: How long have you been in practice?Dr.’s Anna and Aaron: 6 years this Ma […]

Well, you’ve probably noticed by now that we have a brand new website! This is a big update at Hillside, and we’re excited! We decided to update our website and offerings for several reasons. 1. It’s 2016. Information is available at the click of the button from around the world, especially on mobile phones. We pride ourselves on following the latest advances in medicine, but we wanted to provide our clients with the latest advances in convenience too! Our new site is mobile-friendly and o […]